food / drink pic: SHREVEPORT BOSSIER
FINGER LICKING GOOD
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL
Carys Thomas builds up an appetite for this year’ s anticipated International Food And Drink Festival.
Over 50,000 food fans will come together this July to celebrate South Wales’ thriving food and drink scene. The Cardiff International Food And Drink Festival has been a great annual calendar success for Cardiff Council and it returns this year against the tranquil backdrop of the Cardiff Bay waterfront. This three-day event gives everyone the opportunity to sample an assortment of the finest locally and internationally sourced produce in a relaxed and sociable open-air environment. The festival includes a producers’ fayre full of enticing exhibits and much-loved delicacies in the tented village at the Roald Dahl Plass. You’ ll also be able to taste beautiful handmade treats and organic produce with plentiful cheese, wine and tempting chocolate delights. Get involved with the food preparation with hands-on demonstrations and master classes in the Celtic Manor Food Theatre. The farmer’ s market will open its doors from 12-7pm each day at Harbour Drive, selling a wide variety of fresh and appetising home-grown produce, and the day’ s festivities don’ t stop there. Outside the Wales Millennium Centre you’ ll discover a unique craft fair in which many bespoke craft companies will display a spread of delightful locally made gifts and homeware. And as refreshments go, you’ ll have plenty of choice while strolling around the venue. The Food Piazza will be onsite alongside three exclusive bars where you’ ll be able to enjoy a glass or two of champagne as you take in the live music and soak up the atmosphere.
Cardiff International Food And Drink Festival, Fri 12-Sun 14 July, Cardiff Bay. Admission: free. Info: 029 2087 3914 / www. cardiff-festival. com
American-style dining arrives in Pontcanna in the form of Urban Diner on Kings Road, Pontcanna. The upmarket diner offers a tantalising selection of all-time American favourites, boasting an impressive menu brimming with homemade classics. The dishes include Louisiana chicken, Texas smoked pork ribs and an appetising choice of Southern fried chicken. The restaurant also includes a cutting-edge cocktail lounge serving up a number of tempting refreshments for its customers. The prices are reasonable and options are available for vegetarians whilst the laidback atmosphere and contemporary design helps to create the perfect American diner experience.
Urban Diner, 175 Kings Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff. Info: 029 2034 1013 / www. urbandinercardiff. com
DINING BY THE SEA
A 19th century coalhouse building in the beautiful surroundings of Oxwich Bay has been given a new lease of life as a chic restaurant. The Coalhouse boasts panoramic views of Oxwich and Three Cliffs Bay, recently voted as one of the best beaches in Britain by Travel magazine. Having once been used as a gold store, the attractive building has significant historical value, and now, after a sympathetic renovation process, the traditional features of the building have been retained and preserved at the hands of experienced designers. Guests can now enjoy a selection of tantalising local produce including fresh fish such as lobsters and sea bass, luscious meat from the nearby Penrice Castle’ s home farm, and vegetables from the estate’ s kitchen garden. The combination of seasonal specialities and imaginative dishes makes the Coalhouse an exciting new gastronomic venture well worth travelling for.
HANG FIRE SMOKEHOUSE OPENS AT PORTER’ S
From the end of July, Hang Fire Smokehouse and Porter’ s are about to make Sundays very hot and smoky indeed. After travelling through America to discover the secrets behind its famed southern-styled BBQ cuisine, Hang Fire set up camp at The Canadian pub, Splott, in Feb, and since then they’ ve been using their own smoker to cook up all manner of meltin-the mouth chicken, ribs, pulled pork, lamb, ham brisket and more every Friday and Saturday. Their forthcoming opening at Porters is a simple reflection of their already rapidly growing popularity and we’ re already licking out lips in anticipation. For breaking news on the launch date, keep and eye on Hang Fire’ s Facebook and Twitter feeds.
Info: 01792 390965 / www. thecoalhouserestaurant. co. uk Info: www. hangfiresmokehouse. com
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